The area around Meaford is one of Canada's prime apple growing regions, so it's not surprising that we watch for the apple blossoms each spring. And in the fall we buy our apples from local farm stores. Coming home from Owen Sound the other day we could see one of the big orchards off in the distance, so Mrs. F.G. turned down to go and look.
These are older orchards, with the larger individual apple trees that were popular in the past. Most new orchard plantings today are of the high density variety.
Apples grow well here because the waters of Georgian Bay moderate the temperatures and help avoid late spring frosts. The slopes leading up to the ancient Algonquin shoreline provide good air drainage, also moderating late spring frosts. And the soils are suitable for apples.
Those masses of flowers, hope the crops are just as prolific.Down here, closer to the coast in Hawkes Bay, orchards are everywhere, and as you drive past, can see, like you, the different varieties.
ReplyDeleteI have always envied people (and bees) who live in fruit country. Locations that meet all the requirements are pretty rare.
ReplyDeleteI remember my gr13 geography teacher mentioning the apples of this region. He claimed that something to do with being grown at climatic limits made this apples flavourable. I actually don’t remember exactly what he said but it was something like that. Although I because a geography teacher in my own time, I never had occasion to talk about apples near Georgian Bay, and you mention various environmental factors.
ReplyDeleteWe have/had so many blossoms on our apple trees this spring! I'm hoping for a great harvest come fall!
ReplyDeleteThe aroma must be amazing!
ReplyDeleteHope it’s a great year for the apple growers!
ReplyDeleteIf the blossoms are any indicator, this will be a bumper crop for apples. Oh, and the aroma from the blossoms must be amazing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Pruning Apple trees is an art, what lovely photos:)
ReplyDeleteLovely photographs ... I think it may be a good crop this year.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan